Natick dermatologist is a trend-setter during the coronvirus pandemic

Monday

Dr. Helen Raynham could be the first dermatologist in the country to establish a drive-through dermatology clinic.

NATICK – Behind a building in Natick is a tent where patients drive up and meet Dr. Helen Raynham for their dermatology appointments.

It could be the first drive-through dermatology clinic in the country approved by a local board of health, Raynham said.

She established the clinic in March in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak to provide a safe environment for patients.

There is a drive-through clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado that opened this month.

Many doctors turned to telemedicine to adhere to social distancing orders, but Raynham found that some older patients didn’t have smartphones or computers. Others weren’t comfortable using the technology.

So she erected a tent at 154 East Central St., behind the building where her Dermcare Physicians & Surgeons medical practice has an office. Patients drive up, park, and Raynham comes out wearing a full array of personal protective equipment.

Carol Abel, who lives in Westwood, first pulled up to the tent on Monday for her appointment.

Abel said she could have used Zoom or FaceTime to meet with Raynham, but “I’m older, and they’re harder to get used to.”

So Abel drove to the tent, rolled down her car window, and Raynham assessed a spot on Abel’s face.

With 16 operations on her face for skin cancer over the past several years, Abel wasn’t surprised when Raynham told her a biopsy was necessary.

It was immediately performed in Raynham’s office, and the tissue was determined to be precancerous.

“It was wonderful,” Abel said of her experience under the tent. She was back there Thursday for a check-up.

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Raynham screens patients for symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, before giving them the green light to visit the tent. She does it with a phone call or video chat to assess possible symptoms, including a cough and high fever.

It’s not fool-proof, because a patient can be asymptomatic, potentially putting Raynham at risk of contracting COVID-19.

“For any patient, there’s always a risk. You have to evaluate the risk. It’s my duty to determine if something needs to be treated,” Raynham said, noting that some lesions could turn into skin cancer and must be seen right away.

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Raynham wears a face mask, gloves and surgical scrubs during every patient visit to the tent. Patients are required to wear a mask.

Social distancing is adhered to, and in some cases Raynham uses special binoculars as she stands 6-feet away to focus on a patient’s face to assess a mark or lesion.

There are situations when a spot must be examined that is obstructed from view because the patient is sitting in a car. Raynham mentioned one patient with a spot on the foot. To examine it, the patient opened the car door and swing the foot outside to offer a clear view.

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Raynham said she sees up to five patients daily at the tent when she’s at her Natick office. She splits time at her other office in Chelmsford.

William Barklow lives in Natick, and was apprehensive when he made an appointment for an examination under the tent.

“It’s a life-or-death issue,” said the 76-year-old Barklow, expressing concern that someone his age heading into a medical setting faces a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

Barklow lowered his car window, received a shot of a local anesthetic to numb the pain, and Raynham used a scalpel to scrape off a button-size sore on the side of his face.

Biopsy results showed it was Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer that is usually not life-threatening.

“It was a great experience,” Barklow said. “It was efficient and safe.”

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The American Academy of Dermatology recommends doctors reschedule elective procedures or use telemedicine services during the pandemic.

Raynham said her examination tent is consistent with those recommendations, and she’s taking all necessary precautions to protect herself and her patients from COVID-19.

Bottom line is some patients need immediate medical attention.

“Every dermatologist makes a judgment call when it comes to what’s best for the patient,” Raynham said.

Henry Schwan is the health reporter for the MetroWest Daily News. Follow Henry on Twitter @henrymetrowest. He can be reached at hschwan@wickedlocal.com or 508-626-3964.